The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a program that subsidizes the rent of low income families, elderly and disabled through the use of federal funds. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. Under the Section 8 Housing Choice Program, a tenant may select a unit that rents for the amount determined to be comparable to other unassisted units in the area and which would result in the family paying no more than 40% of its adjusted monthly income towards the rent and utilities.

The Law - Nicole's Law: MGL c.148, s.26F 1/2. Law effective March 31, 2006 requires carbon monoxide detectors in homes. The law is named for 7-year-old Nicole Garofalo who died in January 2005 when a heating vent in her house was blocked by snow drifts, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate in the home.

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is an amazing program offered to ALL Section 8 Voucher holders who strive to become more self-sufficient and independent. This program works with support agencies throughout Massachusetts to help families develop strengths, skills, and experiences necessary to achieve economic independence.

This program has helped our participants with:

Stable employment

Job coaching

GED training/obtainment

A higher education

Financial stability

Homeownership

Overall, the FSS program is a team effort involving your family, the FSS Coordinator, and the various service agencies that will assist you on your journey towards a more self-sufficient and fulfilling life. This program does NOT affect your Section 8 standing; just by being a Section 8 Voucher holder, it merely allows you to participant in this program.

Please click the links below for more information or to fill out an application.

The Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program provides low income families and individuals with rental subsidies. The mobile voucher is assigned to the participant and is valid for any housing unit that meets the standards of the state sanitary code. The voucher value is a set amount determined by the tenant's income, household size and geography. Participants pay the difference between the value of the voucher and what the landlord charges for rent. The vouchers can be used throughout Massachusetts only. The Program is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP)

The Alternative Housing voucher Program provides mobile rental vouchers to disabled applicants who are under the age of 60. Tenants will pay either 25 or 30% of their net income to the landlord, depending on what (if any) utilities are included. The state local housing authority then pays the difference. The vouchers can be used throughout Massachusetts only. The Program is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

OTHER DOCUMENTS AND LINKS

Attention Owner/Landlord - List of documents that need to be completed and signed prior to beginning the process of a lease up.

Failure to complete ALL documents can result in the denial for a lease approval.

Restrictions on Leasing to Relatives - HUD regualtions prohibits housing authorities from approving a unit for lease if the owner of the unit is a parent, child, grandparent, sister or brother of the Section 8 voucher holder.